We’re always so focused on working hard, enhancing productivity and pushing ourselves to our limits. Rarely do you hear about the importance of taking breaks. This is especially important in the field of psychotherapy, where your mental health needs might take a back-seat as you dedicate yourself to clients.
MENTAL HEALTH FOR PSYCHOTHERAPISTS
We are in the midst of a mental health crisis. Our lives are full of distractors and stressors that can bring down your emotional wellbeing. More people than ever are seeking therapeutic help, but what about pressure on therapists?
Some therapists suffer from professional burnout, also known as “compassion fatigue”. This is simply because providing therapeutic services is such an emotional experience for therapists themselves. Helping individuals through trauma, listening to countless struggles and dealing with your day-to-day challenges will definitely take a toll on anyone! That’s precisely why therapists need to de-stress once in a while.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING BREAKS
#1 BREAKS RECENTER YOUR MIND (AND HEART)
Taking a break is essential to refocus your mind. Why is that important? Well, your day is filled with curveballs and intrusions. Sometimes it could be a colleague’s behavior, other times it could be your own frustration at not being able to complete a task. Therapists, in particular, deal with clients who have been through unfortunate and sometimes even traumatic experiences. This can be jarring for the therapists themselves!
Taking a break after each session – even if it’s just a five-minute break – helps recenter both your heart and mind. Try deep breathing or quick meditation exercises for the best results! Ultimately, this will leave you refreshed and ready to dive into your next client!
#2 BREAKS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MENTAL AGILITY
Your mind is a machine and without breaks, it’ll go into overdrive! In human terms, this means reduced productivity, limited potential for creativity, lowered cognitive functions and an inability to multitask.
What does that mean in the world of psychotherapy? Therapists need mental acuity to pick up on unsaid emotions or perspectives clients have. At the same, multitasking is an essential skill that helps therapists balance note-taking with time management and demonstrating their engagement. Without sufficient breaks, most therapists would struggle to do so!
#3 BREAKS IMPROVE YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH
Let’s talk about movement breaks. These are simply breaks that involve you moving around – whether it’s taking a walk around your office or going for a quick yoga session nearby. Careers that involve hours of sitting put you at an increased risk of conditions like depression, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
EVERY SECOND COUNTS!
Whether you’re a therapist or not, taking breaks is the perfect way for you to refresh, refocus and rebalance. Just switch on a Timeqube, set it to 5 minutes and take a moment to relax. 5 minutes can go a long way in improving your wellbeing!
